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Round 5 of the NBL26 season continues on Saturday, October 18, with another double-header of NBL action.
The day kicks off in Cairns, where the Cairns Taipans host the red-hot Adelaide 36ers at the Cairns Convention Centre. The Taipans will be without star recruit Jack McVeigh and will have their hands full containing Bryce Cotton, who put on another show last Thursday night against the Phoenix. These two sides played back on the 2nd of October, and it was the 36ers getting the win 79-110.
Saturday night features the South East Melbourne Phoenix hosting the Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena. The Phoenix are coming off an 88–71 loss to the 36ers, while the Hawks arrive full of confidence after a huge 116–89 win over the Bullets and a seven-day break. Expect plenty of intensity as both matchups look set to deliver fireworks.
NBL Betting Tips for Round 5 of the NBL26 Season.
Be sure to check back before each NBL26 Match for NBL Previews, NBL Head to Head Predictions, NBL Tips, NBL Picks and NBL Predictions for matches of NBL Season 26.
Australian Basketball Predictions, NBL Betting Tips and NBL Player Props and Insights.
Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers
Venue – Cairns Convention Centre
Tip Off – 5.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 2-4 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Adelaide | 4-1 | 3-1 | 1-0 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 75.5 | 92.5 | 168 |
| Adelaide | 92.4 | 84.4 | 176.8 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Cairns Taipans are on a 3-game losing streak. Their average losing margin is 23 points in that time
- The Adelaide 36ers have started the season with a 4-1 record
- The combined Game Total average for the last four matches between these two sides is 188.3 points
Quick Player Facts – Cairns Taipans
- Jack McVeigh is averaging just 8.7 points across his last three games but will miss this game with a wrist injury.
- Admiral Schofield struggled from deep last weekend, going 0/5 from three and scoring just 2 points in the loss to Melbourne.
- Marcus Lee is averaging 14 points and 7.3 rebounds across his last three home games.
- Andrew Andrews has recorded 10 turnovers across his last two games.
- Reyne Smith has been cold from long range, hitting just 1 of 10 threes (10%) across his last two games and averaging 5.5 points in that span.
- Alex Higgins-Titsha has been active defensively, recording 5 steals across his last two games
Quick Player Facts – Adelaide 36ers
- Bryce Cotton has recorded 12 steals across his last four games.
- Bryce Cotton is averaging 32.7 points across his last seven games versus the Taipans.
- Isaac Humphries is averaging 18 points across the first five games, well above last season’s 12.2 per game.
- Dejan Vasiljevic is averaging just 11.8 points across the first five games, down from 18.1 last year.
- Dejan Vasiljevic is 14/30 (46.7%) from three across his last two games versus the Taipans, averaging 25.5 points in that span.
- Zylan Cheatham is averaging 11 rebounds across the first five games.
Prediction
The Taipans are without star player Jack McVeigh and had no answers for the 36ers and Bryce Cotton the last time these teams met. Facing an undermanned side trying to contain an in-form 36ers squad will be a huge ask. Adelaide should get the job done, and while the game total looks a little low, we can still expect plenty of buckets.
Prediction – Adelaide 36ers (Win)
Prediction – Game Total Over 177.5 Points
SEM Phoenix vs Illawarra Hawks
Venue – John Cain Arena
Tip Off – 8pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM | 2-2 | 1-0 | 1-2 |
| Illawarra | 1-3 | 1-1 | 0-2 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM | 88.8 | 87.3 | 176.1 |
| Illawarra | 93.5 | 97.3 | 190.8 |
Quick Game Facts
- South East Melbourne has won 13 of its last 14 home games
- South East Melbourne ranks 1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.8)
- Illawarra has won each of its last four games when playing with a rest advantage against South East Melbourne
Quick Player Facts – SEM Phoenix
- Wes Iwundu, former NBA player, will suit up for the Phoenix in this clash.
- Nathan Sobey is averaging 21.5 points across his last four games against the Hawks.
- Jordan Hunter has struggled against the Hawks, averaging just 5.7 points across his last three games versus them.
- John Brown is making his presence felt defensively, averaging 2.8 steals across the first four games.
- Angus Glover has been a threat from deep, hitting 2+ three-pointers in eight of his last nine home games.
- Hunter Maldonado has been cold from beyond the arc, going 0/9 from three across his last two games.
Quick Player Facts – Illawarra Hawks
- Tyler Harvey is averaging 20.5 points and 6 assists across the first four games of the season
- Tyler Harvey has struggled against the Phoenix recently, averaging just 11 points across his last two games versus them and fouling out in both contests
- Javale McGee has been dominant, putting up 22.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks across his first four games
- Wani Swaka Lo Buluk is contributing 11.3 points per game while shooting 42.9% from three to start the season
- Todd Blanchfield has been sharp from deep against the Phoenix, hitting 14 of 25 threes (56%) over his last three games and averaging 16.7 points in that span.
- Mason Peatling is averaging 13.5 points across his last two games.
Prediction
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have added an import, but it might take time for the new piece to click. With just a two-day turnaround, they could struggle to contain Hawks big man Javale McGee, though the Phoenix showed they can create turnovers in Thursday’s loss to the 36ers. The Hawks arrive full of confidence and look too strong to be stopped, even on the road.
With the last five meetings averaging 206 combined points, expect plenty of fast-paced action and buckets flying at both ends.